White Law PLLC has brought legal action against schools and universities and won. In addition, we have successfully defended of discrimination and sexual abuse. Our attorneys defend victims’ rights, and we have done so in headline-making cases, including the case against Larry Nassar v. Michigan State.
When your pursuit of higher education is disrupted by harassment, prejudice, or assault, you can take steps to pursue justice. You deserve access to educational opportunities without such obstacles.
An East Lansing Title IX attorney is here to assist you in upholding your legal rights if you have been victimized or have a legal complaint against the University of Michigan or any other East Lansing -area school that receives federal funding.
Your Rights Under Title XI
Sex discrimination is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 in educational programs that receive federal financing, which includes nearly all colleges, both private and public. Title IX offers discrimination protection to:
- Women and men
- Pregnant or parenting students
- Transgender students
- LGBTQI+
Title XI mandates that athletes have to be treated equally, that people cannot be discriminated against based on sex or gender identity, and that schools are obligated to respond when acts of harassment or gender-based violence are brought to their attention.
If you have been the victim of sexual harassment or discrimination at a federally funded school, A Title IX lawyer in East Lansing may be able to help you file a claim.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
What Happens After I Report a Title IX Violation to the School?
Every institution must investigate sexual misconduct reports. The school may investigate your report, and you, your attacker, and witnesses may be interviewed. Following that, the school will hold a formal hearing after an investigation to decide whether to punish your attacker.
Under Title IX, the U.S. Department of Education has put out guidance documents that schools must follow when looking into a report of sexual misconduct and making a final decision. During this process, schools must safeguard a complainant’s safety and well-being on campus. A school may impose a “no-contact order” barring the assailant’s interaction with the victim.
To further guarantee that the process does not infringe on the complainant’s right to a safe and welcoming learning environment free of sexual discrimination, other measures, such as academic and housing accommodations, may be implemented.
We’re not just lawyers. We’re passionate advocates who will ensure that your voice is heard and your rights are protected.
Are There Exceptions to the Title IX Rules?
Institutions of higher learning receiving federal funding are prohibited from discriminating against students on the basis of their gender, including by maintaining sex-segregated classrooms, with very few exceptions.
Some exceptions may include the following:
- Religious universities and colleges
- Historically same-sex universities
- Contact sports
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
What Are Some Examples of Title IX Violations?
The following are all forms of discrimination based on gender that have been seen on campus:
- Discrimination against student groups based on their gender in terms of access to school-provided resources, such as adequate and equal facilities and equipment
- Ignoring transgender students’ needs and preventing them from participating in school-sponsored activities that match their gender expression
- Exclusion or refusal to provide reasonable accommodations for students who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- (Quid pro quo) Harassment when one party offers, or threatens to offer, some form of benefit or service to another in exchange for the other’s involvement in unwanted sexual conduct
- Neglecting to take action against anyone who harasses a student
- Failing to take appropriate action when allegations of rape, sexual harassment, or sexual assault have been made
A Title IX attorney in East Lansing can help you to learn more about your legal options, help guide you through the entire process, and ensure that your rights are protected if you’ve been affected by any of these situations.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
What Kinds of Actions Constitute Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Under Title IX
If you are feeling uncomfortable, it’s important that you understand when you may be experiencing some form of sexual harassment. Some examples of sexual harassment include:
- Unwanted, inappropriate sexual advances
- Requests for sexual favors
- Any verbal, nonverbal, or physical actions of a sexual nature
- Repeated requests for dates or attention after you have rejected advances
- Stalking
Some examples of sex-based harassment are:
- Hostility, aggression, or intimidation based on sex
- Sex stereotyping
Sexual violence includes rape, attempted rape, unwelcome touching or fondling, date rape, intimate partner rape, and rape when you are unable to give consent. These are all unacceptable, and not your fault. You can get help to seek the justice and relief you deserve under the law with help from a Title IX attorney in East Lansing.
Filing a Legal Claim Against Institutions and Coaches for Sexual Abuse
The coach or other adult abuser is usually the most obvious person to hold responsible for the harm they inflicted. A school or athletic organization may be blamed when a student or young adult is exploited or harassed while participating in a school-sponsored sporting program.
Institutions have a responsibility to protect the welfare of their student-athletes. The entire organization may be held liable when it fails to fulfill its responsibility and a student is harmed. An East Lansing Title IX lawyer can sue these schools and organizations for these violations and hold them liable.
Contact a Title IX Law Firm Serving East Lansing Today
Schools and sporting organizations frequently fail their students. Insufficient background checks, refusal to investigate complaints of abuse and a lack of safety measures all contribute to the exploitation of young athletes.
If you or a loved one in East Lansing has been the victim of sexual abuse or Title IX violations by MSU or another university, White Law PLLC can fight to ensure that those responsible for the abuse are brought to justice. Contact us today to discuss your situation and learn about your legal options.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
